New Jersey Policy Perspective produces independent research and analysis on policy solutions to advance social, economic, and racial justice. From data-driven reports to policy briefs and explainers, we work to provide lawmakers, legislative staff, advocates, community leaders, and reporters with the facts and figures behind the most pressing policy issues facing the Garden State.

A photo of a hand stacking coins next to money in a glass jar.
Blog

A Wealth of Revenue: How Taxing Wealth Proceeds Can Help Balance New Jersey’s Budget

May 5, 2026 • Peter Chen • Tax and Budget
Adopting a wealth proceeds tax based on federal law could raise more than $1.1 billion to help balance New Jersey’s state budget, while affecting only a small share of the state’s wealthiest households. New Jersey policymakers could direct those funds toward education, health care, and other investments families [...]
Blog

Families Still Pay Millions to Stay Connected to Loved Ones in Prison

April 28, 2026 • Marleina Ubel • Economic Justice
A phone call home can mean everything for the thousands of people incarcerated in New Jersey’s prisons and jails. Staying connected improves mental health, strengthens family ties, and helps people prepare for a successful return to their communities. But for many, these calls come at a high and [...]
Report

A Safety Net in Retreat: An Obstacle Course Known as TANF

April 23, 2026 • Tonanziht Aguas • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
New Jersey's top cash assistance program is long overdue for reform so it can reach the families it was designed to serve.
Explainer

TANF Explained: New Jersey’s Safety Net Steadily Falls Short

April 21, 2026 • Tonanziht Aguas • Economic Justice
New Jersey’s main cash assistance program for families hasn’t kept pace with the cost of living for decades.
Mother, Little girl, and pediatrician in a doctor's office while the patient looks at a band-aid on her arm.
Blog

Who Pays for a Per-Employee Medicaid Fee?

April 7, 2026 • Peter Chen • Economic Justice, Health
A fee tied to individual employees’ health coverage will encourage employers to find loopholes and harm workers. That’s the core problem with Governor Mikie Sherrill’s proposal to charge large employers based on how many of their workers are enrolled in NJ FamilyCare, the state’s Medicaid program. In her [...]
Report

Fool’s Gold: The Hidden Costs of AI Data Centers for New Jersey

March 31, 2026 • Alex Ambrose • Climate, Tax and Budget
Communities deserve guardrails on expansion before the damage is done.
Report

How Gov. Sherrill’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Measures Up

March 11, 2026 • Tonanziht Aguas • Tax and Budget
NJPP's research team evaluates whether Governor Murphy's final budget proposal sufficiently advances economic, social, and racial justice.
Report

What to Look for in the New Jersey Budget for Fiscal Year 2027

March 3, 2026 • Peter Chen • Tax and Budget
Ahead of Governor Sherrill's first budget address, here are key benchmarks to evaluate whether the budget sufficiently addresses fiscal challenges while aligning with the values of expanding opportunity for all.
Explainer

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Funds: What They Are and Why They Matter

February 26, 2026 • Alex Ambrose • Climate
This memo summarizes the purpose of the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Fund, provides examples of their uses, and explains the threat of future diversions.
Blog

Opening the Door to Opportunity with Family Tax Credits

February 17, 2026 • Peter Chen • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Increasing credit amounts and expanding eligibility for assistance programs would help more families afford basic needs.
Report

Mind the Gap: Keeping New Jerseyans Covered in the Face of Federal Cuts

February 6, 2026 • Brittany Holom-Trundy • Health
Without immediate state action to counter federal cuts, hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans will lose health care coverage.
Report

Five Budget Time Bombs Facing the Next Governor

January 15, 2026 • Peter Chen • Tax and Budget
Without sustainable and equitable revenue sources, incoming governor Mikie Sherrill is inheriting a state budget full of fiscal threats.
Testimony

New Jersey Should Reject Unjustified Giveaways to Sports Teams and Big Business

January 5, 2026 • Peter Chen • Tax and Budget
Testimony from Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen opposing the expansion of tax subsidies that benefit private corporations and individuals.
Testimony

State Tax Credits Should Benefit the State, Not Just Private Businesses

January 5, 2026 • Peter Chen • Tax and Budget
Testimony from Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen opposing loosening restrictions on the net benefits test for Aspire transformational projects.
Testimony

Protecting Confidential Data Sent to Government and Health Care Providers Keeps All New Jerseyans Safer

January 5, 2026 • Erica Boland • Immigrants' Rights
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of strengthening privacy laws to protect New Jerseyans.
Testimony

Protecting New Jersey’s Immigrants Keeps the State’s Communities and Main Streets Thriving

January 5, 2026 • Peter Chen • Immigrants' Rights
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of protecting New Jersey's immigrant families.
Report

Millions of New Jerseyans at Risk from Hazardous Materials Transported by Rail

November 25, 2025 • Alex Ambrose • Climate, Transportation
New Jersey should update its hazmat freight rail policies to protect the millions of residents who live along freight lines.
Testimony

Hold Corporations Responsible for Hazmat Rail Safety

November 13, 2025 • Alex Ambrose • Climate
Testimony from NJPP Policy Analyst Alex Ambrose in support of requiring corporations to have response plans for rail incidents.
Report

Gutted: New Jersey’s Shrinking Public Workforce

November 10, 2025 • Peter Chen • Economic Justice
The state has eliminated nearly 20,000 positions even as population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
Report

The $200 Barrier to Justice: Why NJ Must Eliminate Municipal Public Defender Fees

October 31, 2025 • Marleina Ubel • Public Safety
Despite the constitutional right to an attorney, municipal courts charge up to $200 for public defenders, pushing low-income residents into debt.
Report

Resetting School Funding for New Jersey’s Next Decade

October 29, 2025 • Mark Weber • Education
New Jersey can adjust the school funding formula so all students receive an education that meets the state’s new, higher standards.
Explainer

How Does New Jersey Fund Its Schools — And How Can We Make It Fairer?

October 24, 2025 • Mark Weber • Education
A guide to understanding New Jersey's school funding formula and closing gaps for students who need resources most.
Blog

Census 2024: Economic Gains Bypass Many New Jersey Communities

October 21, 2025 • Tonanziht Aguas • Economic Justice
Nearly one in 10 New Jerseyans still lived below the poverty level last year.
Report

Freedom from Want: An Economic Guarantee for New Jersey’s Kids

September 10, 2025 • Peter Chen • Economic Justice
Two pathways can dramatically reduce child poverty and ensure all families in New Jersey have what they need through cash assistance programs.
Testimony

Federal Leaders Should Protect Access to Critical Health Programs

August 14, 2025 • Brittany Holom-Trundy • Health
NJPP Research Director Brittany Holom-Trundy urges U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to protect vital programs and services.

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